Variable-speed reducer



Filed Sept. ll, 1945 E. R. KNlsoN 2,521,067

VARIABLE SPEED EEDUCEE sept. 5, 195o 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 a i# 82 14-1 sbl/ij; 77

VELDEN R. KENISON.

MAL@

. Sept. 5, 1950 E. R. KENlsoN 2,521,067

VARIABLE SPEED REDUCER Filed Sept. ll, 1945 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 'I ISEE] Sept. 5', 1950 E. R. KENlsoN VARIABLE SPEED REDUCER Fi1ed sept. 11, 1945 5 Sheets-Shana?l 5 ELDEN R. KmsoN.

Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICEv VARIABLE-SPEED REDUCER Elden R. Kenison, San Jose, Calif.

Application September 11, 1945, Serial N o. 615,612

17 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a variable speed reducer.

One object of the present invention is to provide a speed reducer of a high speed reduction ratio.

Another object is to provide a speed reducer the speed reduction ratio of which may be varied during the operation of the device.

Another object is to provide a speed reducer wherein the pulsations of the output unit are reduced to a minimum.

Another object is to provide a speed reducer wherein the direction of rotation of the output unit remains the same irrespective of the direction of rotation of the input unit.

Another object is to provide a speed reducer of simple inexpensive construction and eicient operation.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the speed reducer of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section of Fig. l taken along line 3-3 thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section through a portion of Fig. 1 taken along line 4-4 thereof.

Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views showing a power transmitting cam in different looking positions.

Fig. l is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the speed reducer when theV input unit is rotated in counterclockwise direction.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but illustrating the operation of the speed reducer when the input unit is rotated in clockwise direction.

The speed reducer of the present invention (Figs. 1 to 3) comprises an input unit A, and an output unit B. The input unit A comprises a high speed input shaft I rotatably mounted within bearings 2 and 3 (Fig. 1) Supported by standards 4 and 5, respectively, mounted upon a base l. Keyed to one end 8 of the input shaft is a gear S which meshes with a wide gear keyed to the shaft I2 of an electric motor or any other prime mover the speed of which is to be reduced by the mechanism of the present invention.

The bearing 3 includes an externally threaded sleeve portion I3 through which the other end I4 of the shaft I, which is provided with reduced portions I5 and I6, extends. Positioned upon the shaft portion I5 intermediate the shoulder I1 and retaining washer I8 bearing against the shoulder I9 and held in position by a nut 20. threadedly secured to the shaft portion I6, is a thrust ball bearing 2|. The outer run of the ball bearing 2| is received within an annular recess 22 of an internally threaded hub portion 23 of a hand wheel 24. The hub portion 23 is screwed upon the externally threaded bearing sleeve |3 and is normally heldin desired position against rotation by means of a lock nut 25. Secured to the outer end of the hub portion 23 by means of screws 26 is a cap 2I which retains the thrust bearing 2| within the recess 22 and firmly secures the bearing 2| to the hub 23 fo longitudinal movement therewith. Mounted upon the shaft I is an eccentric actuating unit 30 comprising eccentric sleeves 3| and 32. The eccentric sleeve 3| is fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith and held against longitudinal movement relative thereto by -means of a key 33. The sleeve 3| is slidably mounted within the eccentric sleeve 32 and held against rotation relative thereto by means of a key 34 xed to sleeve 32 and slidably received within a keyway 36 of the sleeve 3|` so that both ec centric sleeves 3| and 32 are interconnected for simultaneous rotation. The key 34 and keyway 36 as well as the inner face of the sleeve 32 and outer face of the sleeve 3| are disposed in an inclined position relative to the shaft I in such a manner as to permit axial movement of the vshaft and sleeve 3| relative to the sleeve 32 whereby the eccentricity of the sleeve 32 with respect to the shaft i. e., the eccentricity of the eccentric unit 30, may be varied as desired.

The sleeve 32 is rotatably received within the concentric bore of the hub portion 4| of a power transmitting or drive disk 42. This disk is solely supported by the eccentric sleeve 32 but is held against rotation by means of a holding device 43.

This holding device (Figs. 1 and 3) comprises an inner ring 46 which includes two semi-circular sections 4l and 43 secured to each other and securely clamped to the hub portion 4| of the disk 42 by means oi cap screws 49. Secured to the inner ring 46 are horizontally disposed pivot pins 5| and 52 slidably mounted Within bearings 53 and 54, respectively, of an outer ring 56 comprising two semi-circular portions 5'I and 53 secured to each other by cap screws 59 and 60. The outer ring 5B is provided with vertically disposed pivot pins SI and 52 slidablymounted within bearings 63 and 64, respectively.

The bearings 63 and 54 are attached to a bIaCket 65 Which yis secured to the base 'Iqby screws 61 (Figs. 1 and 3). Formed integral with the bracket 68 is a bearing flange S8 having an outer annular bearing surface 69 and a bore 1| which extends through the entire bracket structure. One end of the bracket 65 is provided with an annular bearing face 'l2 against which the inner side of the ring 46 abuts. The hub portion 4| of the transmission disk 42 extends through the bore 1| and the diameter of the latter is such as to pmrnit free 'oating movement of the disk 42 and its hub portion 4I in a circular orbit during the rotation of the unit 30, i. e., the eccentric sleeves 3| and 32.

As above stated the holding devicel 43prevents rotation of the disk 42 and its hub portion 4| but due to the fact that the inner ring 46 is horizontally movable relative to the Vouter ring 56 and the outer ring 58 is vertically movable with respect to the bracket 68 free iioatingmovement of the transmission disk 42 relative to the bracket' withinthe bore 'H thereof ifs permitted.

The outputunit. B comprisesadriven member 16 which includesl aninner ring 'H provided with afl'iub portion 18- having a bearing sleeve 1:9 rotatably mounted upon the annular bearing'surface '09 of the bracket 66- and an outer disk 8| rotatab'lymounted upon the input shaft I. 'The innerzri'ng Tl: and' the disk tl are'interconnected adjacent their peripheriesby a sleeve- 82 secured thereto by screws 83. The sleeve '82 is received within a recessedzportion of the inner' ring 'H and outer disk 8|l so that itis held vin correct -position relative thereto. Theinner surface'of the sleeve 821is provided' with an annular recess-"84 of suflicient depth and width to permit free floating movementlof the transmissiondiskidZ. The inner ring TT and the disk 81 are of 'such conguration as. to'receive the disk-42 for free floating movement therebetween and to provide an yannular race-lor camwayft for thereception of a plurality of 'cams or wedges 8l disposed between bearing surfaces 88, `89, 9| and 92 of the disk 8|I, sleeve 82 and innerri'ng 1T, respectively. These cams 81 extend through rectangular slots 93 in ther drive disk 42' which are of sufficient depth so that the disk 42 'may float relative to the wedges without contacting the bottom portion 94 thereof.

'Each of the cam members'Sl is of oblong construction inY cross section and comprises a small curved upper cam portion 96 (Fig. 5), and straight sideV portions 91, 98 joined by curved large cam portion99`, a straightportion |0| and a curved ridge |92. The cross sectional width of the .lower portion of the cams 8T! between the upper end of the curved portion: C08 and ridge |02 thereof 'corresponds substantially to the width of the slots 93 softhat the lower portionl ofthe cams 07| is heldbetween the side walls |06, |01 ofthe slots 93 butlis-free to rotate relative thereto (Fia 5).

The height of the cams 8l is such that when they4 are disposed in a position as shown in Fig. 5 they are rml-ywedged between the bearing surface V89. 9|l and 83', 92 of the sleeve S2. disk 8| and ring T8, respectively.

The cams 81 are provided with pins Iv at each side-adjacent their upper ends. Attached to each pin-is one end of a coil spring ||2 which is secured with its other end to pins ||3 secured to thedisk 4:2 at each side thereof. The coil springs 'v against the ridge |02 of the cams 81 by the side walls vH11 of the slots 93 the camsy are slightly shifted in the direction of arrow |4 (Fig. 5) and are firmly wedged between the bearing faces 88, 89 and 9|, 92 of the disk 8|, ring 'l1 and sleeve 82 whereby driving connection between the disk 42 and ring TI, sleeve 82 and disk 8| is established.

The eccentric sleeve 32 previously referred to is provided with an annular shoulder ||6 disposed between the disk 42 and a bearing surface of the disk 8| for free rotation and floating movement relative thereto. This shoulder, however, prevents longitudinal movement of the sleeve 32 with respect to disks 42 and 8| and the sleeve 3|.

Keyed to the disk 8| is a gear or a sprocket wheel |2| from which the reduced output speed is obtained and transferred to any mechanism adapted t0 be operated by the speed reducer of the present invention.

From the above it will therefore be seen that upon'rotation of the motor shaft |2 and gear in clockwise direction the gear 9, input shaft and eccentric unit 30, which comprises sleeves 3| and 32, are driven in counter-clockwisev direction, i. e., in the .direction of arrow |25 (Fig.'2). Due to the eccentric position of the sleeve 32 with respect to the input shaft the disk 42, which is held against rotation by the .holding unit 43, is caused to float in a circular orbit relative to the input shaft and thev output unit B. During each revolution of the input shaft and eccentric unit 30, the disk 42 floats once through its circular orbit and moves relative to the cams or wedgesA 8-'1 which do not float therewith but are shifted forward and backward thereby between the bearing faces '88, 89 and 92, 9|' of the output unit B ff. at opposite sides of the disk 42.

During `the 'floating' movement of the Vdisk 42 as4 above described the side faces |06 and |01 adjacent each slot 93 of the disk 42 travel in a circular orbit corresponding to the circular orbit of the disk 42. Each side face |01 exerts therefore duringthat portion of its circuitous travel which is directed toward the ridge |02 of the cam 81 associated therewith, i. e., during its travel through the outer half |26 of its circuitous path (indicated in dot-dash line in Fig. 7) a'pressure stroke against the ridge |02 of the cam in the direction of arrow |21 (Figs. 5 and 7') whereby the lower portion of the cam is shifted in the direction of arrow |I4 (Figs. 2 and 5) while the upper portion of the cam is held back by the action of the spring ||2 so that the cam is wedged between the bearing faces 88, 89 and 92, 9| of the output unit B and a firm driving connection between the disk 42 and the output unit B is established. The output unit B isv therefore rotated in a counter-clockwise direction by the motion imparted thereto through cams B1 by the disk faces |01 during their floating movement through the outer half of their circuitous orbits. At the end |29 (Fig. 7) of the travel of each face |01 through the outerV half of its circuitous path the forward movement of the cam associated therewith and the lpressure against the ridge |02 thereof ceases so that the cam is unlocked or released lfrom its w-edging action between the faces 88, 89 and 92, 9| of the output unit due to the rotative advancement of the output unit B relative to the cam and pressure subsequently exerted in the direction of arrow |30 (Figs. 5 and '7) against the portion |03 of the cam by the disk face |06 as the saine travels through the inner half |3| of its circuitous path (indicated in dotdash` line in Fig. 7) and floats backward relative to the direction of rotation of the portion of the output unit -B adjacent thereto. The cam 81 is therefore shifted backward until its next forward movement commences when the disk face |01 oats again through its outer half of its circuitous path and the same operation as above described is repeated.

In this manner the cams B1 are successively locked to and unlocked from the output unit B and are shifted forward and backward respectively, relative to the direction of rotation of the output unit B by the floating movement of the disk 42 in a counter-clockwise orbit whereby successive counter-clockwise power impulses are imparted to the output unit B by the cams 81 so that a continuous rotation of the output unit B in oounterclockwise direction i. e., in the direction of arrow |33 (Figs. 2 and '7) is effected.

lWhen the input shaft I and eccentric unit 35 are rotated in a clockwise direction, as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 8, the direction of rotation of the output unit B remains the same as in the case of Fig.v '7, i. e., counter-clockwise. This is due to the fact that in such case as clearly shown in Fig. 8 pressure is applied to the ridges |02V of the cams 81 by the disk faces |01 during their travel through the inner half |36 of their circuitous paths (indicated in dot-dash line in Fig. 8). In other words in such case pressure is exerted in the direction of arrowl |31 (Fig. 8) against the ridges |02 of each cam 81 as the disk `face |01 cooperating therewith travels through the inner half |39 of its orbit whereby the cams 81 are successively wedged between the bearing faces 88, 89. and 92, 9| of the output unit B and the same is driven in a counter-clockwise direction. The cams 81 are released and unlocked from driving engagement with the output unit B and moved backward to their original position while the disk faces |05 oat through the outer half of their orbits (indicated at |39 in dot-dash line in Fig. 8), and the output unit B travels ahead of the cams 81 and pressure is exerted by the disk faces |06 against the portions |03 of the cams in the direction of arrow |40 (Fig. 8) thereby unlocking the cams.

From the above it is therefore apparent that the direction of rotation of the output unit B cannot be changed unless the position of the springs I I2 and the cams 81 within slots 93 is reversed so that the ridges |02 are adjacent and faces |86 of the disk 42 and the springs urge the cams in opposite directions.

The tension of the springs ||2 is so calibrated that the cams 81 are always held in readiness for locking engagement with the annular bearing faces 88, 89, 92, and 9| of the output unit B but are sufcientiy lcose to freely move backward, i. e., against the rotation of the output unit B to permit their return in unlocked postion after each power stroke of the cams until they are wedged again in locked positionfto the output unit B upon commencement of the next power stroke.

In order to simplify the above explanation of the operation of the speed reducer of the present invention it has been assumed that the cams 81 are in their locked position while the disk faces |01 travel through the entire outer half |25 (Fig. 7) or through the entire inner half |36 (Fig. 8) of their orbits. Actually, however, the locking action occurs only during a portion 4of this travel.

To explain this move specifically it should be noted that if shaft I is driven counter-clockwise (Fig. '7) each cam 81'will not receive the necessary locking pressure from the disk face |01v until the speed of travel of the latter equals or exceeds. the speed of rotation of the output unit B. If the outer half |26 of the orbit |26 (Fig. 7) is divided in the same manner as a clock dial each cam will be firmly wedged between the annular faces of the output unit B at about 1 oclock and from about 1 oclock to about 11 oclock the output unit B is driven by the cam since the speed of the cam is the same or slightly in excess of the speed of rotation of the output unit. At about 11 oclock the ouput unit B begins to run ahead of the cam and the cam begins to unlock.

When the shaft I is driven clockwise the locking action takes place from about 11 oclock to about 1 oclock in a` similar manner as above described. y

Both of the above examples are only illustrations and the locking distances of the cams may vary considerably from those stated herein.

The curved large cam portion 99 of the camsV 81 (Figs. 5 and 6) previously referred to com'- prises a circular section 99a and a slightly curved section 9917 which extends substantially tan-- gential to the circular section 99a and forms the continuation thereof. The cam section 99h terminates at the lower edge lilla of the straight cam portion IIlI. It is therefore apparent that if the annular faces 88, 89, 9| and 92 have worn down during the continuous use vof the device of the present invention, i. e., the spacing between opposing faces 88, 89 and 92, 9| has increased the wedging action of the cams is not lost since this increase in spacing between said faces is automatically compensated for as the cam portion 99 contacts the faces 88 and 92 with its slightlyl curved portion 99h more and more toward the edge |0Ia. Fig. 5 illustrates the normal locking position of one of the cams 81 while Fig. 6 shows the locking position thereof after considerable wear of the annular faces 88, 89, 92 and 9|. In either case a firm wedging of the cam is obtained as long as the straight sides 98 or IilI of the cam do not touch the disk face |91V adjacent thereof. In the device illustrated eight cams or wedges 81 have been employed. It is to be understood however that their number may be increased or decreased as desired. It is preferred however that a sufiicient number of cams 81 is employed to obtain an overlapping operation of the same so that any appreciable pulsation of the output unit B is prevented and a smooth and continuous rotation thereof is obtained.

The device of the present invention is especially adaptable for very high speed reduction. since reduction ratios of 50:1 to 150:1 or higher may be obtained; The ratio of the obtained speed reduction depends of course upon the eccentricity of the eccentric unit 30, i. e., the eccentricity of the sleeve 32 with respect to the input shaft I. Therefore by varying the eccentricity of the sleeve 32 relative to the shaft I with infinitesimal increments speed regulation is obtained. The desired variation of the eccen-tricity of the sleeve 32 with respect to the input shaft I is accomplished by unlocking the lock-nut 25 and turning the hand wheel 24 so as to shift the input shaft I and the inner eccentric sleeve 3| relative to the outer eccentric sleeve 32 in one or the other direction whereby the speed reduction ratio of the deviceis increased or reduced. During the axial shifting of the shaft the gear 9 slides` relative to the gear which is of sufficient width to always remain in driving engagement with the gear 9.k After the vdesired speed ratio adjustment the hand wheel 24 is locked in its position by the locknut aguante? 7 21'. This 'speedmatio fa'djustm'entsmay ibe made duringoperation'of thespeedfreducerso that it is not necessary to `stop the machinery :driven thereby.

iWlilel havel described-a particular `embodiment ofthe 'present inventionfit `will vbe understood however that various changes'and'modifications may be made in the details thereof without departingfrom thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

:Having thus-describedmy invention, -vvhat I claim asne-w-anddesire to yprotect .'by'Letters Patent :is:

1. A speed reducer .comprising a rotatable driven element provided with an annular .race havingppposing yannularfaces, a cam disposed in saidsrace land,movable. intov and Y out..of locking engagement withtheopposing faces of said race,

a .driving element Astraddling said cam and mounted for floating movement relative y.to vsaid driven element, .-and means for effecting floating movement Yof the driving element -in acircular orbitfrelative to the driven element to successively lock and unlock the ca-m relativeto the opposing faces of the race of vthe driven element to thereby tra-nslate'the floating movement of the driving elementfinto 'rotation of the 'driven element.

2. :A 'speed reducer Ycomprising a Vrotatable driven elementprovided fwith1an annular race havingopposingannular faces, ra plurality of cams disposediin 'said raceuand movable into and out of locking engagementwith the. opposing annular faces of saidl race, a Idrivingelement adjacent said driven element, said 'driving element having a plurality of radial slots for slidably receiving the cams therein, and meansfor effecting floating movement of said Idriving element relative tothe driven element and to successively lock thecams to and unlo-ck them from said faces to thereby translate the floating movement of the driving element into rotationof the driven. element.

V'3. A speed reducer comprising a rotatable driven elementprovided with an annular race having opposing annular walls, a plurality of cams slidably disposed in said race and movable into and out of locking engagement with the opposing walls thereof, adrivingelement adjacent said drivenl element and provided at its .periphery With afplurality of radially extending Islots-.for receiving the cams laterally movable and'radially slidable therein, and. means for effecting floating movement 'of the driving velement in a Vcircular orbitrelative to the driven element to successively lock tand unlocklthe cams between the opposing Walls of said race to'thereloy translate the floating movement of therdrivingelement into rotation of the driven element.

Y4. fA Ispeed reducer comprising Ya 'rotatable driven element provided with an annular race, Aa plurality of cams `disposed in said race movable into and out of"locking engagement with said driven element, a driving element adjacent said driven element and operatively associated with the cams for actuating the same, means for effecting floating movement of said drivingelement 'in a circular orbit relative to the driven element to lock land unlock the cams relative to the driven element and to translate the floating movement ofthe driving element into rotation of the driven element, resilient means for continuously holding saidcams in frictional yengagement with said race, and Ymeans for varying the extent of Acircular floating movementof the driving Velement relative to 'the :driven: elementv to` vary Athe sspeed 1 cfrotatfon of'thalatter.

-5. 'A `:speed reducer :comprising -za lrotatable driven element provided with .an annular race, a plurality of cams disposed in said 1ra'ce'movable into and'out of locking engagementwith sa'id driven element, -a `driving element adjacent said driven element and provided'withfa'jpluralityiof radially disposed 'slots in its peripheryfor receiving the cams intermediate their'ends therein, and means vfor effecting floating movement :of :said driving elementrin a circular orbit relative'- tothe driven 'element-todock and unlockthe camsin successive order relative thereto and to translate the floating movement of the driving-element into continuous rotation'of the drivenelement.

V6.'A speed reducer comprising 4a rotatable driven unit providedwith an annular race,- aplurality of Wedges disposed invsaid race; saidfwedges being freely slidable -along'said race and laterally tiltable therein into and out of lockingengagement therewith, ya driving disk-extending With'its periphery into the annular race of the driveny unit said disk being provided with radially'disposed slots 'for receiving said Wedges therein; means for preventing rotation of said disk, and'meansfor effecting 'floating `movement `of saiddisk in "circular orbit relative to the driven 11n-it' to shift said Wedges back and" forth in sa'id race IandY to runlock and unlock thewedges in 'successive 4orderwand overlapping relation therein totherebytranslate the fioating movement 'ofthe disk'into continuous rotation of the driven unit.

'7. VA speed 'reducer .comprising :a driving unit, a rotatable driven unit `adjacentthe same :and provided with -an "annular race, a plurality "of wedges disposed in vsaid race for 'sliding movement therein and laterally 'tiltable' into and out of locking engagement therewithysaid driving unit extendinginto said race and being provided with aiplurality of slots vextending radiallyrelative to said race' for'receiving saidvvedges' therein, said slots being ofsuicientlength radially of said race to permit floating Imovement of the driving unit relative to the `driven unit, "and means'for effecting floating movement of the driving unit in a circular orbit relative to 'said driven unit to thereby'tilt said wedges laterally back and forth to lock and unlock said wedges in said race in successive order and to impart'rotation to said driven unit when said lwedegsare locked in said race.

8. A speed reducer comprising a driving disk provided With a plurality of radially `disposed slots, a rotatable member adjacent said disk and provided with an annular race having opposing faces, a plurality of wedges slidably disposedin said race and movable into and out of'locking engagement with said faces and extending into the slots ofsai'd disk, and means "for effecting circular floating movement of said disk relative to said rotatable member to thereby shift `said wedges back and forth in said race -and to lock and unlock the same in successive order between the opposing faces thereof during theirforward and backward movement, respectively, Iand to translate the floating movement of said disk into rotative movement o'f the rotatable imember.

9. A speed reducer comprising a rotatable output unit provided with spaced annular vfaces forming a continuous annular race, a plurality of cams slidably disposed in spaced relation in said race and movable therein into'and out'of locking engagement with Vsaid faces, `a drive disk disposed within 'said voutput unitaandf'extending into said annular race, said disk being provided with a plurality of radially extending slots at its periphery for receiving a portion of said cams therein, said slots being of suiiicient length to permit floating movement of the disk relative to the cams within said output unit, and means for eiecting circular floating movement of said disk relative to the axis of rotation of the output unit for successively forcing the cams into and out of locking engagement with the faces of said race, for translating the floating movement of the disk into rotation of the output unit.

10. A speed reducer comprising a rotatable driven element provided with spaced annular races disposed adjacent each other, a plurality of cams slidably disposed with their free ends in said races and movable therein into and out of locking engagement with said driven element, a driving element mounted for circular iloating movement between adjacent races of said driven element and provided with a plurality of radially extending slots straddling said cams intermediate their ends, the radial extension and the width of said slots being such as to permit free floating movement of said driving element relative to said cams and driven element, means associated with .said driving element for preventing rotation thereof without impeding free floating movement of said driving element, and means for effecting floating movement of said driving element in a circular path abo-ut the axis of rotation of the driven element to successively lock and unlock the cams with respect to the driven element and to translate the circular oating movement of the driving element into rotation of the driven element.

11. A speed reducer comprising a rotatable driven element provided with spaced annular races disposed adjacent each other, a plurality of cams slidably disposed with their free ends in said races and movable therein into and out of locking engagement with said driven element, a driving element mounted for circular floating movement between adjacent races of said driven element and provided with a plurality of radially extending slots straddling said cams intermediate their ends, the radial extension and the width of said slots being such as to permit free floating movement of said driving element relative to said cams and driven element, means associated with said driving element for preventing rotation thereof without impeding free floating movement of said driving element, means for imparting lioating movement to said driving element in a circular path about the axis of rotation of the driven element to successively lock and unlock the cams with respect to the driven element and to translate the circular floating movement of the driving element into rotation of the driven element, and means for varying the path of circular movement of said driving element to vary the speed of rotation of the driven element.

12. A speed reducer comprising a rotatable driven element provided with spaced annular races disposed adjacent each other, a plurality of cams slidably disposed with their free ends in said races and movable therein into and out of locking engagement with said .driven element, a driving element mounted for circular iloating movement between adjacent races of said driven element and provided with a plurality of radially extending slots straddling said cams intermediate their ends, resilient means associated with said cams and driving element for urging said cams in said races into frictional engagement with said driven element, the radial extension and the width of said slots being such as to permit free loating movement of said driving element relative to said cams and driven element. means associated with said driving element for preventing rotation thereof without impeding free floating movement of said driving element, and :means for imparting floating movement to said driving element in a circular path about the axis of rotation of the driven element to successively lock and unlock the cams with respect tothe driven element and to transl-ate the circular floating movement of the driving element into rotation of the driven element.

13. A speed reducer comprising a rotatable ,driven element provided with spaced annular races dispo-sed adjacent each other, a plurality of cams slidably disposed with their free ends in said races and movable therein into and out of locking engagement with said driven element, a driving element mounted for circular floating movement between said races and provided with a plurality of radially extending slots straddling said cams intermediate their ends, resilient means associated with said cams and driving element for urging said cams in said races into frictional engagement with said driven element, the radial extension and the width of said slots being such as to permitiree floating movement of said driving element relative to said cams and driven element, means associated with said driving element for preventing rotation thereof without impeding free iloating movement of said driving element, means for imparting floating movement to said driving element in a circular path about the axis of rotation of the driven element to successively lock and unlock the cams with respect to the driven element and to translate the circular oating movement of the driving element into rotation of the driven element, and means for varying the path of circular floating movement of said driving element to vary the speed of rotation of the driven element.

14. A speed reducer comprising a rotatable driven unit provided with an annular race, a plurality of wedges disposed in said race and extending laterally therefrom, said wedges being freely slidable in said race and movable into and out of locking engagement with the driven unit, a driving disk adjacent said driven unit and provided with a plurality of slots for movably receiving the lateral extensions of said Wedges therein, means for preventing rotation of said disk, resilient means associated with said wedges and disk for urging said wedges into frictional engagement with said driven unit, and means for effecting universal noating movement of said disk in a circular orbit relative to the driven unit to lock and unlock the wedges in successive order and overlapping relation relative thereto to thereby translate the floating movement of the disk into continuous rotation of the driven unit.

l5. A speed reducer comprising a rotatable driven element provided with an annular race having opposing cam engaging faces, a plurality of cams disposed in said race and movable into and out of locking engagement with the opposing faces thereof, a driving element adjacent said driven element and operatively associated with the cams, and means for effecting floating movement of said driving element in a circular orbit relative to the driven element for shifting said. cams back and forth in said race and for locking unlocking said cams with the opposing faces thereof to thereby translate the floating movea ment ofthe driving element-gintoroftation oi the driven element.

16. A speed reducer comprising a driving disk vprovided with a plurality of Slots, said slots ex- Aof said slots and extending into said annular race, said camsbeing laterally tiltable into and out of locking engagement with said annular faces, and means for imparting circular ioating movement to said disk to move the cam engaging sides of said disk in a circular orbit relative to lsaid race to shift the cams back and forth between said annular faces and to tilt the cams laterally into and out of locking engagement therewith to thereby translate the oating movement of the disk into rotative movement of the rotatable member.

17. A speed reducer comprising a driving disk provided with a plurality of slots, said slots extending radially into saiddisk from its periphery te provide opposing cam engaging sides on said disk, a rotatable member adjacent said disk and provided with opposingannular faces on its side forming an annular race, a cam disposed in each of said-slots andfextending into said annular race and movable into'and out 0f locking engagement with said annular faces, means for imparting cir- Leular. oating movement to said disk to move the 12 cam engaging sides ef saddskin a circular orbit relative to said racev to lock the cams to the annuler. faces of the rotatable. member during movement Of-the cam engaging. sides of the disk through one portion of their orbit and to unlock the cams from said faces during movement of the cam engaging sides through the remainder of their orbit to thereby translate the iioatngmovement of thedisk into rotative movement of, the rotatable member, and means Yfor varying the extent of iloating movement. of said disk relative to the rotatable member to vary the speed of rotation of the latter.

ELDEN R. KENISON.

EBENCES QITED Thevfollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED .STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 8673136 Jackson Sept. 24, 1907 977,449 -Iawden Dec. 6, 1910 1,572,360v Peterson Feb. 9, 1926 1,700,562 Doll Jan. 29, 1929 2,186,395 Stande Jan. 9, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 21,297 Great Britain A. D. 1905 371,667 Great Britain Apr. 28, 1932 

